WTF: Divorce Via a Three-Word Text Message

Ouch. Triple ouch. Reportedly, there's an increase in text-message divorces in Tajikistan, a mostly Muslim country in Central Asia. Apparently, all you have to do to divorce a woman is to say, "taloq taloq taloq" (or, "divorce" three times, known as the "triple taloq"). It's an Islamic ritual, and after this chant, a cleric will confirm the divorce.

Officials say the there have been more text message divorces because men are moving abroad to find work and wind up starting new families, but Tajikistan's religious authorities are considering banning the practice.

What must that be like? I can't imagine having no say in something so big. Wow. Sad thought of the day. Sorry to be a downer. But isn't that crazy? Have you been divorced or close to anyone going through a divorce? What about these families that split for years so the guy can go make money? I cannot imagine.